Type of City and Homes Available: Situated on the south bank of the Patuxent River, midway between Washington and Baltimore, Laurel has easy access to Rte. 1-95 and the Baltimore-Washington Parkway, with Baltimore-Washington International Airport only 15 minutes away. Research and development firms and many government installations are nearby, including Fort Meade, the National Security Agency, Goddard Space Flight Center, the Patuxent Wildlife Center, the Department of Agriculture Beltsville Agricultural Research Center and Howard County branch, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab.

Incorporated as a city in 1870, Laurel had a popula- tion that long remained stable at about 4,000. Its increase came since 1950, and it is now the residential and business center of a Greater Laurel area of approximately 180,000 persons astride the growing Washington-Baltimore corridor. Laurel race track makes it a mecca for horse lovers. Single-family dwellings range from $180,000 to over $225,000; townhousessellfiom $120,000 to $l40,OOO.Apartment rentals range from $500 to $900 per month.

Tax Situation: Owner-occupied homes are assessed at 40% of full cash value. Add county/state and city tax rates. 5 to 10% amusement/admissions tax.

Public Transportation: metrobus routes on Route I and Baltimore-Washington Parkway provide rush-hour transportation to Washington. There is commuter rail service, MARC, 4 rimes a day, to Union Station, D.C., and Baltimore. There is also a small-craft airport nearby. The Connect-A-Ride transit system serves the city of Laurel and portions ofAnne Arundel, Howard, Montgomery, and Prince George's Counties. Phone: (301) 725-3600. Free fringe parking at 2 locations.

Public Facilities and Services: Electricity, gas, water and sewer to entire city. Trash collections twice weekly. Leaf removal in fall. 47 full-time police (1994) and fire department with 5 career and 80 volunteer firefighters. Laurel Rescue Squad has 4 paid career paramedics. Competition-winning County Rescue Squad operates surface, and water-borne equipment 24-hours-a-day. Library branch with 148,049 volumes. Library information: (301) 776-6790. TDD: (301) 776-6311. Police phone: (301) 498-0092.

Public Schools: 6 elementary (K-6), I middle, I high school (9-12).

Private and Parochial Schools: I Catholic elementary (1-8), I Catholic high (9-12), I private; 2 Baptist; nursery schools and kindergarten's.

Colleges: Prince George's Community College extension courses held at high school; Capitol College, a private nonprofit 4-year collegp of engineering technology .

Places of Worship: I Assembly of God, 2 Baptist, I Catholic, I Christian Fellowship, I Christian Science, I Church of Christ, I Lutheran, 2 Methodist, I Presbyterian.

Organization: Boys and Girls Club, Elks, Jaycees, Lions, Kiwanis, Knights of Columbus, Rotary, Soropnmist, Wreath Lodge.

Recreational Facilities: 153 acres ofparkland with I supervised playground, outdoor pool complex with 4 pools, 6 tennis courts, I football-soccer field, 2 outdoor baskeifaall courts, 5 softball diamonds. Summer day camp. 2 com- munity centers and I senior center.

Year-round classes for all age groups. Adults sports leagues and tournaments. Laurel Lakes with boat rentals. County recreation center and regional parks with football, baseball, softball, basket- ball, tennis, and other facilities available nearby. Greater Laurel has 4 18-hole golf courses (private), and commercial bowling alleys. Bowling and swimming programs for all ages. Playschool (3-5 year olds). Senior citizen programs. Adult day care center. Classes and special events throughout the year. Information: (301) 725-7800.

Medical Facilities: Greater Laurel Regional Hospital (200 beds) just outside the dty. Laurel outpatient clinic at the Mental health Center. The Greater Laurel Nursing Home (177 beds). County health programs include child health, family planning, and addiction services.

Shopping: Many small shops along Main Street plus numerous shopping centers including several new ones. The Laurel Center has over 200 stores, some of which are in an enclosed mall. Laurel Lakes is another shopping area.